“A definite forgiveness would mean a definite recognition of our strength.” ~ Gandhi, Mahatma 2:5

In 1925, Gandhi was released from prison to find that a majority of his Congress Party supporters had gone back on a position he considered essential. To everyone’s surprise (and the dismay of many) he joined them, saying that they had reached their position honestly. It was called the “Patna surrender” and many feared that he was losing his grip. But he sent a message to a woman supporter: “Tell sister not to worry. My surrender was my victory.” And so it was. In course of time, the others came back around. “People see the fighter in me,” Gandhi commented, “but they miss my ability to surrender, whence springs my strength.”

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About Daily Metta

Stephanie Van Hook, the Metta Center’s executive director, launched Daily Metta in 2015 as a way to share Gandhi’s spiritual wisdom and experiments with nonviolence.

Our 2016 Daily Metta continues with Gandhi on weekdays. On weekends, we share videos that complement Michael Nagler’s award-winning book, The Search for a Nonviolent Future: A Promise of Peace for Ourselves, Our Families, and Our World. To help readers engage with the book more deeply, the Metta Center offers a free PDF study guide.

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